Buckeyes Begin NCAA Title Defense at OSU DualsOhio State hosts annual round-robin event at French Field House

The Buckeyes went 16-0 at the 2011 Duals.

Sept. 28, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State fencing team hosts its annual OSU Duals Saturday at French Field House with the first bouts set to begin at 8 a.m. The 11-team event continues throughout the day in a round-robin format.

Traditionally, Ohio State coaches use the event to showcase the team's younger talent, as several of the seven Buckeye newcomers will make their debut at the duals. The majority of programs, outside of the defending NCAA Champion Buckeyes, are of club status.

A YEAR AGOLast year, the Buckeyes capped a 16-0 record as they swept all competition at the OSU Duals and continued their streak of not dropping a match at the Duals to eight years. Senior Isabella Bonello led the women's foil team with 22 victories, while sophomores Samuel Harwicke-Brown and Andrew McDonald each finished the event 23-0 for the men's foil unit.

Twelve Buckeyes competed in men's epee combining for a 64-8 record. Sophomore Gavin Medley led the men's group with 15 wins while Junior Tasha Domashovetz earned 20 wins for the women's epee category. The women's epee unit finished with a 60-12 record on the day.

BUCKEYES EARN FOURTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPThe Buckeyes earned their fourth NCAA championship on March 25, 2012 at French Field House. This championship marked the third combined (men's and women's) for the program, with all three coming under the direction of head coach Vladimir Nazlymov. Ohio State's first title was in 1942 when the NCAA supported only men's fencing. Nazlymov has led the Buckeyes to national titles in 2004, 2008 and 2011.

Redshirt Junior Max Stearns clinched the championship on the final day of the competition after his nearly flawless 13-1 first day. The Scarlet and Gray finished with a 21-point advantage leading their opponents with 182 victories. Princeton and Notre Dame finished second and third with 161 and 160 points respectively. St. John's (NY) and Penn State rounded out the Top 5.

UP NEXTFollowing the conclusion of the OSU Duals, the Buckeye fencers will travel to St. Louis, Mo., for the Division 1 North American Cup Oct. 12 -15, followed by the Notre Dame Individual hosted by the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Ind., Oct. 27-28.